Following Thales’s successful trials during the Royal Navy’s Unmanned Warrior exercise in 2016 the company is heavily investing in developing and testing autonomous systems for military and civilian uses.

The company, which has 62,000 workers worldwide, already has 500 people in the firm and its supply chain working on autonomous and unmanned systems technologies.

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The new Turnchapel base will be Thales’s maritime autonomy trials and training centre.

It is an initial five-year commitment but the aspiration is to continue to grow the “footprint”.

A Thales unmanned 'robot' boat

The waterfront facility, at the former Royal Marines’ base, will provide access to trials areas for development of cutting-edge maritime autonomous systems and Thales said it will position the firm at the centre of future maritime autonomy capability.

The facility will act as the key maritime integration, test and evaluation centre for the combined UK and French Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) Programme, aimed at keeping people and ships safe from mines.

Victor Chavez, chief executive of Thales in the UK, said; “Investing in these facilities enables the safe test, evaluation and training of autonomous platforms, innovative research and development, as well as the regulations for military and civil applications.

“These facilities will be central to the growth of Thales’s future autonomous capability.

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Cllr Ian Bowyer, Tory leader of Plymouth City Council, welcomed Thales’ arrival and said: “This is brilliant news for Plymouth and builds on the city’s reputation as Britain’s Ocean City. I am delighted to see this company invest in Plymouth.

“They are global players and specialise in unmanned vessels or drones which can be used in conditions that are not suitable for humans.

“This could include environmental research, shipping, military and sub-sea exploration. It’s the sort of pioneering research and development that we are trying to attract and grow in the city."

Leader of Plymouth City Council Ian Bowyer (Image: Paul Slater)

Plymouth’s marine sector employs 11 per cent of the city’s workforce and has been identified as one of the city’s key economic strengths.

As part of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal, the council is transforming a former naval yard at Oceansgate, in Devonport, into a marine technology development campus, which is designed to attract innovative marine technology companies.

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Cllr Bowyer added: “It’s great that Thales sees Plymouth is a very good fit for them. They were attracted by deep water access as well as the talent pool of people qualified across the marine sector and enormous potential links with the university as well as other marine institutions in the city.”

Thales has also signed a five-year agreement with West Wales Airport (WWA) which will continue to deliver the Watchkeeper – unmanned aircraft for surveillance and intelligence gathering - programme to the British Army and to expand the innovative test, development and training of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

The former Royal Marines' base at Turnchapel (Image: Paul Slater)

Thales has committed £6 million to the West Wales facility over the next two years, securing 40 jobs across the UK.

During the past 10 years, £10 million has been invested into the airport and surrounding economy while Thales and the Ministry of Defence have tested and developed Europe’s largest UAS programme.

Harriett Baldwin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “Whether in the air or the sea, the UK is leading the way when it comes to autonomous systems.

“Thales’ announcement today is yet another example of that, and another way in which this innovation is supporting jobs right across the country.”